Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s latest round of diplomacy saw displays of camaraderie as he attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in China, and met Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping amongst other regional leaders.
Modi had landed in Tianjin on Sunday after concluding a bilateral visit to Japan that unlocked massive investment promises.
The optics of these engagements and their timing — coming shortly after United States President Donald Trump slapped heavy tariffs on Indian goods — have created a telling picture of where New Delhi’s priorities lie.
How Modi, Xi & Putin projected unity
The two-day SCO summit became a major stage for India to demonstrate strategic balancing. Modi joined leaders from Russia, China, Iran, Pakistan and Central Asian states in what many interpreted as a display of Global South solidarity.
For the Indian PM, the summit was his first visit to China in seven years.
The interactions between Modi, Xi and Putin drew wide attention.
All three were seen exchanging handshakes, smiles and laughter, projecting affinity at a time when Washington has sought to isolate both Moscow and Beijing.
Modi and Putin were also spotted walking hand in hand before approaching Xi, creating images that analysts say sent a signal of defiance to the United States.
The duo were also photographed taking a car together during the summit with Modi writing on X, “Conversations with him are always insightful.”
During his formal meeting with Putin, Modi said, “Russia and India have stood together in most difficult times too.”
He also noted that their upcoming engagements would continue to reinforce these bonds, “Meeting with Putin always memorable… in December, we will wait for President Putin to visit India.”
For his part, the Russian president pointed out the resilience of the partnership. “We can say that our relationship is based on principles. There is multifaceted cooperation between us,” he remarked, adding that “today’s meeting is another good opportunity to further strengthen our relations.”
He also underlined, “There is a very trustworthy relationship between Russia and India — one that is not based on politics.”
The trilateral bonhomie came in the shadow of Trump’s tariff actions against India, which followed New Delhi’s continued import of Russian oil. These penalties included a 25 per cent duty on Indian imports and an additional 25 per cent specifically linked to its energy trade with Moscow.
How India-China are working towards a reset
Modi’s meeting with Xi Jinping carried its own weight, given the history of border tensions and economic disputes between the two nations.
Modi conveyed that India was “committed to progressing our relations based on mutual respect, trust and sensitivities.”
He added that conditions of “peace and stability” along their shared Himalayan border had created space for cooperation benefiting the populations of both nations, which together account for nearly 2.8 billion people.
Xi stressed a similar note, describing India and China as “each other’s development opportunities rather than threats.”
According to Chinese state media, he said, “We must … not let the border issue define the overall China-India relationship.” He added that relations could be “stable and far-reaching” if both sides avoided treating each other as adversaries.
The border issue remains one of the thorniest challenges in the bilateral relationship. A clash in 2020 at Galwan Valley led to the deaths of 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers, triggering a protracted standoff and heavy militarisation of the frontier.
Both countries share a 3,800-km boundary that has been disputed since the 1950s.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed that the situation has eased following an agreement reached in October last year on patrolling arrangements. “The situation at the border is moving towards normalisation,” he said.
He explained that Modi and Xi had also considered wider implications, “They tried to … see how to leverage that for building greater understanding between themselves and how to … take forward the economic and commercial relationship between India and China.”
Misri acknowledged that global developments, including US tariffs, were on the minds of both leaders but said the talks remained primarily bilateral.
“The focus of the discussion remained in the bilateral domain. Of course, they recognise what’s happening on the international plane and the challenges it creates, but they tried to see how to leverage that for building greater understanding between themselves and how to take forward the economic and commercial relationship between India and China in the midst of these evolving challenges,” he explained.
He added that both countries saw deficiencies in global institutions, “There is a deficit in how the WTO (World Trade Organisation) is working, for instance. There is even a deficit in how the United Nations is working at this point in time. These are obviously common interests for two countries, such as India and China, that are large actors on the international, commercial, economic, and financial stage…”
Beyond political signalling, the India-China talks resulted in tangible announcements. Modi revealed that direct flights between the two countries, suspended since 2020, will resume, though no date has been set.
China has also lifted restrictions on exports of rare earths, fertilisers and tunnel boring machinery, measures that had hampered India’s industrial and infrastructure projects.
People-to-people contacts are being restored as well. China has allowed Indian pilgrims to travel to Buddhist and Hindu religious sites in Tibet, while both sides have removed tourist visa restrictions that were imposed during the pandemic and the border standoff.
Economic ties remain dominated by an imbalance that frustrates New Delhi. China is India’s largest bilateral trade partner, but India’s trade deficit with its neighbour has now reached a record $99.2 billion.
Modi raised the issue with Xi, seeking measures to improve the equation by facilitating more balanced exchanges.
At the same time, old irritants continue to exist. China’s planned construction of a giant hydropower project in Tibet has alarmed New Delhi officials, who estimate that the dam could reduce dry-season flows of the Brahmaputra River by as much as 85 per cent.
Nevertheless, China has expressed solidarity with India in opposing US tariffs. Earlier in August, Chinese Ambassador Xu Feihong said Beijing would “firmly stand with India.”
How Japan stepped in with a $68 billion pledge
Before his SCO engagements, Modi travelled to Tokyo for a bilateral summit with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. The outcome was a landmark roadmap aimed at deepening strategic and economic cooperation over the next decade.
The two governments unveiled the Economic Security Initiative, which seeks to secure supply chains for key sectors such as semiconductors, telecom, pharmaceuticals and emerging technologies.
This also came in response to the global uncertainty fuelled by Trump’s tariff regime.
Japan committed to mobilising 10 trillion yen (about $68 billion) in private investments in India over the coming decade.
Ishiba explained the significance by stating, “We share the responsibility to strengthen [the] international order as we see increasing opaqueness in international circumstances. Japan and India need to bring their strengths together for the peace and stability of the region.”
Modi, too, emphasised the shared vision, “The India-Japan partnership is rooted in mutual trust, reflects our national priorities, and is shaped by our shared values and beliefs. Together, we carry a common dream of peace, progress and prosperity of our peoples and for the world.”
Japan’s earlier pledge of 5 trillion yen ($34 billion) for 2022-26 was already achieved ahead of schedule, showing Tokyo’s seriousness in advancing this agenda. Japanese companies are heavily invested in India’s industrial landscape.
Suzuki Motor has reportedly committed Rs 350 billion ($3.97 billion) to a new facility in Gujarat and Rs 32 billion ($363 million) to expanding production lines.
Nippon Steel has also invested Rs 15 billion ($170 million) in Gujarat and Rs 56 billion ($635 million) on a major steel plant in Andhra Pradesh.
Over the past two years, more than 170 memoranda of understanding (MoU) have been signed between the two countries, translating into over $13 billion in pledged investments.
Cooperation in space technology, advanced mobility and India’s high-speed rail corridor between Mumbai and Ahmedabad remains central to this agenda.
How the US attempted to engage with New Delhi
The rapid sequence of India’s engagements with China, Russia and Japan has not gone unnoticed in Washington.
Trump’s tariff measures — 50 per cent duties on Indian imports, a 30 per cent duty on Chinese imports — have raised concerns in New Delhi about economic fallout.
The US Embassy in India attempted to highlight the positive aspects of the partnership despite recent strains.
On social media, it posted, “The partnership between the United States and India continues to reach new heights — a defining relationship of the 21st century. This month, we’re spotlighting the people, progress, and possibilities driving us forward. From innovation and entrepreneurship to defense and bilateral ties, it’s the enduring friendship between our two peoples that fuels this journey. Follow the hashtag and be a part of #USIndiaFWDforOurPeople.”
Yet, the broader context reveals New Delhi’s careful hedging.
By engaging Beijing and Moscow, and welcoming Tokyo’s investment pledges, India is signalling that it will not allow unilateral US actions to dictate its strategic course.
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With inputs from agencies
Inhaling global affairs on a daily basis, Anmol likes to cover stories that intrigue him, especially around history, climate change and polo. He has far too many disparate interests with a constant itch for travel. You can follow him on X (_anmol_singla), and please feel free to reach out to him at anmol.singla@nw18.com for tips, feedback or travel recommendations